'I am sad to see him leave... He's a good manager and a good person'
SHAMROCK ROVERS manager Stephen Bradley paid tribute to Damien Duff after it was confirmed on Sunday that the former Chelsea star had stepped down as Shelbourne manager.
The pair had been at odds this season, with Duff earlier this month accusing Bradley and Shamrock Rovers of showing a lack of class.
But Bradley put those issues behind him as he accentuated the positive aspects of his rival's impact since becoming a League of Ireland manager in 2021.
'First of all, I am sad to see him leave Shelbourne and the league as a whole,' Bradley said after Rovers' 2-0 loss to Bohemians last night.
'He's obviously a good manager and coach, he's a good person, and he is and was very, very good for the league. Sad to see him go, and hopefully he comes back in the league at some point.
'I'm sure he has his reasons for making the decision.
'If he's made that decision, he obviously feels strong about it, so you've got to respect that.'
Advertisement
Bradley said he had not spoken to Duff since Sunday's shock announcement.
Asked whether they would talk in time to try resolve their differences, the Hoops manager added: 'That's between me and Damien, when we're in it, and we were in it, he will do everything to win for his team, and I will do everything to win for my team. And that will never change.
'There was lots in [the rift], but that's not for me to talk about right now.'
Duff also fell out with Alan Reynolds during their time as opposing managers, but the Bohemians boss was similarly magnanimous in his praise for the ex-Ireland international.
'I don't know the ins and outs of it, but I'm disappointed,' Reynolds said. 'He's been fantastic for the league, to go win a title after only a few years as a new manager [is impressive].
'I don't think people realise the pressure of managing. It's 24/7. You go away from the ground losing a game, and there's no feeling like it.
'You try to describe to people how you've put in so much, it's 24/7 all of the time, and it has an effect.
'We have had our different views and not a great relationship. We don't know each other, but I'd still admire him from a distance.'
On the game itself, Reynolds lavished praise on his side after a deserved 2-0 victory against the league leaders.
'I was just talking to [former Bohs player and coach] Derek Pender. He said he hasn't seen such a good 45 and he's been here such a long time. I thought it was the best I've seen us without the ball, but I'm not surprised. With the ball, there were transitions when they lost the ball from us winning it back, we pressed and tried to score.
'Stevie O'Donnell [and the other coaching staff] are outstanding at what they do, and the information, we're all on the same page about what we're passing on. And that's key.'
Reynolds also addressed the criticism he received from the club's supporters after some disappointing results earlier in the season.
'I know our relationship [with the fans] has been fractured at times, but we're in a good place now.
'I think the dressing room is really good, and I don't have any doubts that the dressing room's been behind me, even last year, when the results weren't going well.'
Bradley, meanwhile, admitted his side had not been up to the standard required for a big Dublin derby, as they suffered a fifth defeat in six matches against Bohemians.
'First half we were miles off the game, a million miles off what's required in any game but especially in this type of game, so as a result they were two up and could have been three or four to be honest, we were that far off the level, but that's football.
'There are loads of factors that we have to try and understand why we were so far off it in that first half. You've got to credit Bohs, they were good but we were a million miles off it in every aspect, in every way, and you don't win games of football in this league if you're that far off the levels.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
24 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Daniel McDonnell: Loss of Damien Duff's star power is a blow to the League of Ireland but there can still be life without him
Former Shelbourne boss divided opinion but he lit up the LOI There was something strangely appropriate about John Giles retiring from punditry in the same week that Damien Duff dramatically vacated the Shelbourne stage. Two of Irish football's greatest-ever players are from completely different generations but they will always share one journey in common. Duff's appointment as Shelbourne manager in November 2021 was frequently compared to Giles' decision to come back from West Brom to Shamrock Rovers in 1977 because of comparable excitement that accompanied a genuine household name volunteering themselves for a frontline role in the League of Ireland.
Irish Daily Mirror
31 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Armagh v Kerry live updates from the All-Ireland quarter-final clash
The last All-Ireland quarter-final clash of the weekend sees defending champions Armagh take on Kerry in a fascinating contest. Ulster football has already two representatives in the last four of Championship after victories for Donegal and Tyrone over Monaghan and Dublin respectively on Saturday. Armagh and Kerry met at the semi-final stages of last year's campaign with the Orchard County claiming a two-point victory after extra-time before going on to defeat Galway in the final last July. Kieran McGeeney's men suffered another heartbreaking Ulster final loss to Donegal, but they've returned to form in recent weeks to become the favourites to retain the Sam Maguire. Kerry will be keen end their reign this afternoon as they seek to find their stride after a shock loss to Meath in group stages. In David Clifford, they possess Gaelic football's MVP, but they'll need more if they are to reach the All-Ireland semi-final. Midfielder Diarmuid O'Connor dislocated his shoulder against Cavan in the preliminary quarter-final and will play no part this afternoon while Paudie Clifford and Paul Geaney are named on the bench. Armagh, meanwhile, will be without Oisin O'Neill and Stefan Campbell for today's clash while Conor Turbitt is held in reserve. Last year's meeting went to extra-time and there's every reason to suspect today's rematch will go right to the wire. You can follow live updates from Croke Park below. Donegal defeated Monaghan 1-26 to 1-20 while Tyrone enjoyed a 0-23 to 0-16 win over Dublin in yesterday's quarter-finals. Galway have just taken the lead thanks to Liam Silke's goal. With 10 minutes remaining, they lead Meath 2-12 to 1-13 Kerry: Shane Ryan, Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan, Casey; Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Gavin White, Tom O'Sullivan; Sean O'Brien, Joe O'Connor; Micheál Burns, Sean O'Shea, Graham O'Sullivan; David Clifford, Conor Geaney, Dylan Geaney. Armagh: Ethan Rafferty, Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Peter McGrane; Ross McQuillan, Tiernan Jelly, Jarly Óg Burns; Niall Grimley, Ben Crealey; Darragh McMullan, Rory Grugan, Joe McElroy; Oisin Conaty, Andrew Murnin, Rian O'Neill. All-Ireland SFC semi-final: Armagh 1-18 Kerry 1-16 Armagh produced a rousing comeback before holding their nerve to see off Kerry and book their place in the All-Ireland SFC on a dramatic day at Croke Park. The Kingdom led 0-10 to 0-6 at half-time and a controversial Paul Murphy goal midway through the second half had them five clear after Armagh had cut the deficit to two points. Yet, Armagh's bench made huge impact with Stefan Cambell, Jarly Óg Burns and Ross McQuillan all scoring and extra-time was needed to separate the teams. Armagh fans massively outnumbered Kerry in the 55,548 crowd and most would have been hoping to avoid penalties after the Orchard County's recent bad luck in shootouts. A brilliant performance from Kieran McGeeney's men in extra-time ensured penalties were not required this time around as Armagh defeated Kerry by two points. The result looked unlikely at half-time as Kerry were the dominant team of the opening half and repeatedly turned over Armagh in the tackle. Although Barry McCambridge was having a fine game marking Kerry star David Clifford, a run of four unanswered points early in the half gave Kerry some breathing space with Tony Brosnan, Dara Moynihan, Sean O'Shea finding the target while Clifford converted a stunning free from under the Hogan Stand side of the pitch. Armagh rallied with back-to-back scores from Niall Grimley and another from Rian O'Neill, but Kerry were good value for their four-point lead at half-time with Clifford (mark) and Diarmuid O'Connor scoring. Kerry can claims for a penalty waved away by David Gough moments after Shane Ryan was called into action to deny Andrew Murnin. Peter McGrane fouled Paul Geaney in the air with the foul judged to have taken place just outside the 13-metre line. Sean O'Shea converted with McGrane booked and replaced by Campbell for the second half. Armagh made a bright start to the second half thanks to two points from captain Aidan Forker, but they were hit with a sucker punch when Kerry scored the game's first goal. A wayward effort from Clifford was kept in play by Diarmuid O'Connor and Paul Murphy palmed the ball into the Armagh net despite protests from the Orchard players of a square-ball infringement. Armagh have suffered more than their fair share of heartache at Headquarters over the last two seasons, but they werre determined to write a different ending in this semi-final. Conor Turbitt kick-started their comeback with a much-needed free before they brought their fans to their feet with a goal of their own. Much like Clifford's shot which led to Kerry's goal, Rian O'Neill's effort dropped short but Shane Ryan spilled possession and McCambridge was on hand to fist the ball into the Kerry net. Although Paudie Clifford momentarily pushed the lead back out to two, Armagh had the momentum and drew level with two classy points from Campbell before a superb score from O'Neill gave Armagh the lead for the first time in the game. Dylan Geaney forced extra-time with a well-worked score, although the Kerry substitute also missed a chance to win the game in stoppage-time. Remarkably, Jack O'Connor's side failed to score in the first period of extra-time as Armagh took the lead with scores from Jarly Óg Burns and Turbitt. McQuillan's point gave Armagh a three-point advantage in the second period of extra-time, but the game seemed destined for penalties when Kerry replied with back-to-back points from Cillian Burke and Paudie Clifford. However, the impressive Turbitt had the final say when he opted to fist over Armagh's final point rather than shoot for goal. It was a sign of lessons learned from the Orchard County as they closed the game out and they'll return to Croker for the All-Ireland final on Sunday, July 28. Armagh scorers: Conor Turbitt 0-5 (0-3fs), Rian O'Neill 0-3, Barry McCambridge 1-0, Aidan Forker 0-2, Niall Grimley 0-2, Stefan Campbell 0-2, Peter McGrane 0-1, Rory Grugan 0-1 (0-1f), Ross McQuillan 0-1, Jarly Óg Burns 0-1. Kerry scorers: David Clifford 0-4 (0-3fs), Sean O'Shea 0-4 (0-1f, 0-1 45), Paul Murphy 1-0, Paudie Clifford 0-3, Dylan Geaney 0-1, Cillian Burke 0-1, Diarmuid O'Connor 0-1, Tony Brosnan 0-1, Dara Moynihan 0-1.
Irish Times
43 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Dessie Farrell on stepping down as Dublin manager: ‘I think it's just come to a natural end'
Dessie Farrell had no mind to drag it out. Everyone who needed to know had been told at the start of the year: his sixth season in the job would be his last, come what may. These days, the interior lives of intercounty panels are as guarded as an offshore account, but Farrell's announcement didn't come as a surprise. Dublin had spent a long, trying year swapping players in and out, desperately searching for a new design. In the end, though, they were the first Dublin team to lose three championship matches in the same season. 'I think it's just come to a natural end,' said Farrell. 'It's easier to say it today than I have to say it next week or in a couple of weeks' time. I definitely don't want to make it about me because it's always about the players. Ultimately, they're the men who step into the arena. 'I have huge admiration and respect for them. I think the overriding feeling for me now is that I will miss the people. It's not necessarily the position because some of the relationships are really important to me. Some of those lads have been like kids to me, watching them grow up.' READ MORE In the second half of Farrell's reign he was tasked with managing a transition from Dublin's greatest team to something smaller, built in its shadow. Kerry had been faced with the same problem in the 1980s and it took them over a decade to cross that bridge. Of the team that completed the six-in-a-row in Farrell's first season, eight of them started on Saturday. From the match day 26, just a dozen remained. Among the missing names, though, were some of Dublin's greatest ever players. Dublin's manager Dessie Farrell. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho 'I think with all the retirements from last season and if the management team had stepped away as well, it didn't feel like the right thing to do,' said Farrell. 'I think everyone involved knew that this was going to be a different season. 'Some of the senior guys in that dressingroom to a man stood up and picked up the cudgel and just went with it. I know there's challenges with underage in the county at the minute or over the last number of years, but there's a great crop after coming in there and I'd be very optimistic for how they go about their business in the seasons ahead.' More retirements will surely follow in the coming months. The site will soon be cleared.
